Coan Middle School Receives Million Dollar Donation

By Rose Scott

Atlanta, GA –
Right now a celebration is taking place at Coan Middle School.
An Emory University alum is presenting the Atlanta Public School with a million dollars to start a new program.
WABE's Rose Scott has more on a school that's gone through changes inside and outside of its walls.

Coan Middle School has come a long way.
It sits in area of town that is currently experiencing some growth in diversity and economic income.
Coan Middle is located on Hosea Williams Drive and has about 3-hundred and 50 students.
It has as extended day program and houses the Mandarin Chinese and Confucius Institute.
Now, the school has a million dollar gift for its Graduation Generation program.
Principal Tonya Saunders says it will help 6th graders progress from middle school to college:

" a lot of different tutoring sessions, mentoring sessions and try to actually deter or rid ourselves of hurdles students may face as they move towards graduation"
Emory University Board of Trustee Rick Rieder's financial donation is helping the school launch the program:

"I think this model will continue to grow into a number of other cities around the country and truly if a few kids end up going to college that may be otherwise wouldn't have then the program is successful"

Rieder says there will be national advisory council and resources will be use from Emory and The communities in schools organization.